Sunlight filters through the wooden lattice windows of the Qinan Village History Museum in Dachong Town and falls upon a faded dragon head. Wu Guangxian, 77, leans to the side, brush in his left hand, restoring it stroke by stroke. This is the village's unique gauze dragon, which parades through the lanes during festivals, bringing joy and good fortune to villagers.

This is just one example of Wu Guangxian's mural restoring career. Over the past 54 years, he hand‑painted or restored murals in more than 100 heritage buildings. In Dachong, his name is closely tied to the ancestral halls, temples and folk houses in different villages.

From tearing down old ancestral halls in his early years, to restoring heritage buildings today as an intangible cultural heritage inheritor; from a production‑team painter who made a living with his brush, to a folk craftsman preserving local cultural heritage — Wu's brushwork reflects half a century of cultural change in Lingnan rural areas, as well as his dedication to traditional mural craftsmanship.

▲Wu Guangxian and the restored dragon head.

▲Wu Guangxian examines the patterns on the gauze dragon before restoration.

▲In his spare time, Wu Guangxian enjoys creating painting works in his studio.

▲Villagers greet Wu Guangxian.

▲Wu Guangxian admires a mural under the roof an old house.

▲Wu Guangxian restores an ancient dragon head. (Photo by Miao Xiaojian)